Why Gather? Symposium, Melbourne (2008)

A two-day symposium exploring the very idea of gathering
Saturday 19th - Sunday 20th July 2008
Elisabeth Murdoch Theatre, Elisabeth Murdoch Building (formerly Old Pathology)
University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia  

Why Gather? is a two-day participatory symposium that will explore the fundamentals of gathering; questioning the elements required to achieve meaningful and reciprocal people-to-people cross-cultural engagement. In the process, consideration will be given to: the purpose of such events; examples of effective frameworks and processes; and the role of people, place and timing in shaping outcomes. To be delivered through a series of case study sessions, workshops and artist-led formats.

Reflections on Gathering: Why, What, How, Who, Where and When?

Join us in posing further questions, hear about recent international and local case models and through this process actively participate in developing the future framework for the next South Project Gathering (Yogyakarta, Indonesia in 2009) and beyond. 

FREE OF CHARGE – BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL

A Gathering is a group of people brought together in one space or place, usually congregating for a particular common purpose. The act of gathering –to meet, share and network– is intrinsic to human behaviour. Creative expression, critique and reflection are naturally informed by environment, experience and our engagement with the world. So what role can Gathering play in shaping individual and collective perception and expression in the arts? In a period of increased mobility where distances are more psychic than physical, how do we frame such gatherings and consider a transnational dialogue and relevance beyond the usual suspects

Image Credit: Vasilios Devletoglou, 2008

This project has been supported by the Australian GovernmentAustralia Council for the Arts, its arts funding body